Improvement in croquet apparatus



l. A. CRANDALL.

. Croquet-Apparatus.

N0.vl68,323. Patented 0ct.5,l8 75.

fzwmlbr Unrrnn STATES PATENT QFFIoa JESSE A. OBANDALL, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND SYLVANUS WHITE, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN CROQUET APPARATUS.

Specification formin'g part of Letters Patent No. 168,323, dated October 5, 1875 application filed September 4, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

I used in place of the arches now usually em- Be it known that I, JEssE A. GRANDALL, i ployed in the croquet game. D isa seat, firmof Brooklyn, Kings county, New York, have invented an Improved Croquet Implement, of which the following is a specification Figure l is a back view, and Fig. 2 a side I view, of my improved croquet implement.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both figures.

This invention relates to certain improvements in the mallets and arches used in the game of croquet, and is capable of use in the old game of croquet as now usually played,

; and also in an entirely new game, of which the principal outlines will be hereinafter described.

The invention consists in pivoting the striking-mallet to an upright post, so that it can be used by placing the lower end of such post on the ground and then vibrating the mallet on its pivot.

The invention consists, secondly, in forming the arches of the croquet, or several of the arches used in such game, on the lower ends of upright posts or handles, so that each player having such a post can place the same in different positions, according to the rules of the game, and thus vary the position and number of arches used and produce a more amusing game.

Thirdly, the invention consists in combining the pivoted mallet with a post which carries the arches of the game at its lower end.

Finally, the invention consists in combining with the post to which the mallet is pivoted a seat, so that each player, who may be tired, can sit down onpart of the instrument with which he plays, and at the post which he may be required to occupy.

in the drawing, the letter A represents a croquet mallet. The same is, by a transverse pin, a, that extends through the upper part of the mallet-handle, pivoted to an upright post, B, so that, when the post is placed on the ground in a vertical, or nearly vertical, position, the mallet can be vibrated on the pivot to strike a ball in its front. To the lower part of the post B are fastened two, more or less, downwardly-projecting legs or braces, G O, the spaces between which may be ly attached to the upright post B.

My invention, as above stated, consists, first, in pivoting the mallet to the upright post, no matter whether such post has the legs or braces G and the seat D, or either, formed on it. The mallet will, by being so pivoted, be readily vibrated, and will be easier to handle by ladies and children, besides, acquiring a great-' er certainty and exactness of motion through its pivot-connection.

The second feature of my invention consists, as above set forth, in forming the arch or arches O on an upright post, B, or handle, so that such arches may be moved on the ground by the players according to certain rules of the game, instead of using the fixed arches now generally employed in the game of croquet. These movable arches may be used in connection with the fixed arches to increase the interest in the game.

Thirdly, my invention consists, as already stated, in combining with the post to which the mallet A is swiveled the arches formed on such post, so that a game may be played by which each player may be permitted to propel his ball against an enemys ball, and, if successful, to move his instrument A B O to the new position of his bail, and again try to strike an enemys ball, or to pass through an enemys arch until failure, when he shall be obliged to retain his instrument A B O in the position last occupied, the instrument then constituting the arch through which the enemy must pass his ball, and the success of the game depending upon the number of enemies arches traversed by either side, rather than upon the route to be taken, which is at prescut the usual method of playing croquet.

Fourthly, my invention consists in combining with the post B, to which the mallet A is pivoted, the seat D, so that the party using such mallet can find rest on the instrument whenever the game does not require the player to be standing.

I claim as my invention 1. The croquet-mallet A, pivoted by a pin, a, to the post B, substantially as herein shown and described.

2. The post or handle B, combined with the brace orbraces O that project from its lower end, and constitute the arch or arches of the game apparatus, substantially as herein shown and described.

3. The combination of the swiveled mallet A with the upright post B and arch or arches O, substantially as specified.

4. The combination of the seat D with the" upright post B and swiveled mallet A, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

Witnesses: v

E. G. WEBB, O. A. WEIDNER.

J. A. ORANDALL. 

